02.04.2013 Views

The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

the liberty <strong>of</strong> action <strong>of</strong> any <strong>of</strong> their number, is self-protection.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 1<br />

<strong>The</strong> only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member <strong>of</strong> a civilized<br />

community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral,<br />

is not a sufficient warrant.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 1<br />

If all mankind minus one were <strong>of</strong> one opinion, and only one person were <strong>of</strong> the contrary<br />

opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the<br />

power, would be justified in silencing mankind.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 2<br />

We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavouring to stifle is a false opinion; and if<br />

we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 2<br />

A party <strong>of</strong> order or stability, and a party <strong>of</strong> progress or reform, are both necessary elements <strong>of</strong> a<br />

healthy state <strong>of</strong> political life.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 2<br />

<strong>The</strong> liberty <strong>of</strong> the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself a nuisance to<br />

other people.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 3<br />

All good things which exist are the fruits <strong>of</strong> originality.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 3<br />

Liberty consists in doing what one desires.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 5<br />

<strong>The</strong> worth <strong>of</strong> a State, in the long run, is the worth <strong>of</strong> the individuals composing it.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 5<br />

A State which dwarfs its men, in order that they may be more docile instruments in its hands<br />

even for beneficial purposes, will find that with small men no great thing can really be<br />

accomplished.<br />

‘On Liberty’ (1859) ch. 5<br />

<strong>The</strong> great majority <strong>of</strong> those who speak <strong>of</strong> perfectibility as a dream, do so because they feel that<br />

it is one which would afford them no pleasure if it were realized.<br />

‘Speech on Perfectibility’ (1828) in ‘Autobiography’ (ed. Harold J. Laski, 1924) p. 290<br />

<strong>The</strong> principle which regulates the existing social relations between the two sexes—the legal<br />

subordination <strong>of</strong> one sex to the other—is wrong in itself, and now one <strong>of</strong> the chief hindrances to<br />

human improvement...it ought to be replaced by a principle <strong>of</strong> perfect equality, admitting no<br />

power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Subjection <strong>of</strong> Women’ (1869) ch. 1<br />

<strong>The</strong> moral regeneration <strong>of</strong> mankind will only really commence, when the most fundamental <strong>of</strong><br />

the social relations [marriage] is placed under the rule <strong>of</strong> equal justice, and when human beings<br />

learn to cultivate their strongest sympathy with an equal in rights and in cultivation.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!